Giveaways
Erin L. Schneider
Goodreads Giveaway: SUMMER OF SLOANE
Goodreads Giveaway: SUMMER OF SLOANE

Contests

I've Gone And Thrown Myself To The Wolves...Again

Yes, because one contest this year just wouldn't be enough - I've gone and entered myself into Miss Snark's March Secret Agent contest. Some may call me a glutton for punishment - but as I've said before, bring it on. All of it.

There's so much to be learned from entering these contests - and of course, they can help ready a writer for everything that comes with wanting to be a published author. 

First, there's actual feedback from an agent - which as you all have seen before through my blog, can be either good or bad. But there's also a chance said agent may request your work, so that's a plus!

Then there are all the great commentors - writers who leave truly helpful critiques to help the authors learn and grow...which is the entire premise behind these contests. Yes, it's only the first 250 words of your manuscript, but feedback can be invaluable. 

But of course there's also the cynical commentors, which these contests attract like none other. You can always tell the ones that are just being negative, because, well, they can - and anyone who frequents Miss Snark's contests, know who these people are...because they always tend to have the same theme. 

Regardless, I'm submit #47 THE LUCKY FEW - stop on by, read my first 250 submit, and of course, check out all the other great entries in the contest. Along with all the great comments, too.

And wish me luck - if it's anything like the last one, I'm gonna need it! 

How about any of you? Entered your writing in anything lately? 

WriteOnCon: Pitch-Fest - RESULTS

Ouch. Well that pretty much sums it all up.

Suffice to say, the agent assigned to my pitch / query - Peter Knapp - critiqued my submit earlier this evening...and in a nutshell, did not like the voice of my pitch. At. All.

And I mean, at all.

To see Pete's feedback for yourself, you can read it here. 

In the end, all I can say is I'm glad I have some thick skin - which I know is a prerequisite in the business of writing. As well, there are still a few more days to go in the contest and perhaps another agent or author will feel differently - and maybe even be inclined to leave a comment. Perhaps not.

Regardless, I'm always grateful for feedback from those in the biz - even if it's not in my favor. Because that means someone in the biz actually took the time to give me feedback. And how else will I learn and grow? And if I think a harsh comment on my pitch is tough - that's nothing compared to what readers can do to a book, once it's out in the marketplace! 

So I'll take his feedback, use it to toughen my skin, er, skills, and let it all marinate for a bit. Then I'll decide if I want to heed his advice and change a pitch that's actually been working really well for me in my querying as of late, or leave it be for a little while longer. 

Until then, er-e-er-e-er...yep, that's me polishing up my dinged-up armor. But man, I'd rather go into battle with dinged-up armor, than no armor at all.

How about any of you? Ever been given a tough critique? And how did you pick yourself back up? 

WriteOnCon: Pitch-Fest

Just a quick note to let you all know I'll be taking part in the fabulous WriteOnCon's Pitch-Fest, taking place 3.18 - 3.22.

Yep, that's right, it starts tomorrow!

With a little over 300 individuals selected to participate, each one of us has been pre-assigned to an agent...and I've been assigned to the amazing Peter Knapp (Park Literary) - you'll find my pitch for THE LUCKY FEW (pitch #8) under his board, in the WriteOnCon forums.

But Peter isn't the only fantabulous agent participating - check out the insane list the fine folks at WriteOnCon wrangled together:

  • Alyssa Eisner-Henkin, Trident Literary
  • Amy Tipton, Signature Literary
  • Brianne Johnson, Writer’s House
  • Dawn Frederick, Red Sofa Literary
  • Eddie Schneider, JABberwocky Literary
  • Jason Yarn, Paradigm Literary
  • Jennifer Flannery, Flannery Literary
  • Kathleen Rushall, Marsal Lyon Literary
  • Logan Garrison, The Gennert Company
  • Mollie Glick, Foundry Media
  • Peter Knapp, Park Literary
  • Sara Crowe, Harvey Klinger

Like I said, insane, huh?

So I hope you'll all stop by, read some of the awesomness, and perhaps peruse some of the comments (I believe only those that have been "invited" can actually leave one). Just click on the badge above and it will take you directly to the forums.

Hope to see you there!

First Page Contest with Victoria Marini

Shelley Watters is hosting yet another first page contest of awesome on her blog Is It Hot In Here, Or Is It This Book?, this time with Agent Victoria Marini of the Gelfman Schneider Literary Agency! 

This contest is only open to YA, Middle Grade, memoir, pop-culture non-fiction, and women’s commercial fiction.

And here's how it'll work:

  • Be sure your work fits into one of the following genres: YA, Middle Grade, memoir, pop-culture non-fiction, and women’s commercial fiction.
  • Sign up on the link on Shelley's website.
  • On June 25th, post your title, genre, word count and the first 250 words on your blog for critique.
  • From June 25th through June 26th, hop around to the other contestant's blogs and critique their first 250 words.
  • On June 27th, go back to Shelley's blog and post your final entry on the dedicated contest entry blog post. Be sure to include:
    1. Your email address
    2. Title, genre, wordcount
    3. Your polished first page (250 words) Don't stop in the middle of a sentence.
    4. Where you follow me
    5. Where you spread the word

    That's it! 
    ________________________

    So without further ado, here's my submit for the contest, up for critique! 

    First Page Made Of Awesome Contest

    Shelley Walters over at Is It Hot In Here, Or Is It This Book? is hosting a fabulous first page contest of awesomeness.
    The quick gist of it? Post the first 250 words of your manuscript for a chance to win a 10-page critique! For all in-depth details of what you need to do, please check out Shelly's website, but believe me, it's easy-peasy!
    And the guest agent? Judith Engracia of Liza Dawson and Associates. Judith is currently building her client list and looking for all types of fiction, especially middle grade, young adult, urban fantasy, steampunk, and paranormal romance.
    Now I will say, I tend to shy away from posting my actual writing on my site, but the contest sounded too good to pass up. So without further ado, here's my 250-word submit. I'd love to hear all comments, but just remember, I know where you live. :)

    WOW! Women On Writing: Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest

    The fine folks over at WOW! Women on Writing, are holding their Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest - and the guest agent judging this seasons contest? None other than fabulous Sarah LaPolla from Curtis Brown! Sarah is interested in literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, science fiction, literary horror, and young adult fiction - so if you write within any of these genres and are interested in getting your scribbles in front of Sarah, here's your chance!

    Per the WOW! website, most of the details are below - there's a link at the bottom for contest rules and specifics, as well.

    So, won't you join me in what is sure to be an amazing contest? Come on, it'll be fun!